Samsung Galaxy M53 5G review
The Samsung Samsung Galaxy M53 5G ranks as the #334 smartphone globally, achieving a LibraScore of 62. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #152-ranked display among 865 phones. Consider the realme GT Neo Flash or realme NARZO 70 Pro 5G, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Build Quality and Design
The Samsung Galaxy M53 5G's build quality is a mixed bag. While the phone feels sturdy, it's primarily made of plastic, which doesn't exactly scream "premium." The Mystique Green finish on my unit was unique and helped the phone stand out from the competition, but it also picked up smudges easily. The lack of a case in the box is another notable omission. You'll need to purchase one separately, which adds to the overall cost of owning this device. Additionally, Samsung doesn't bundle a charger either, so you'll have to buy a USB Type-C charger if you want fast charging capabilities (it will set you back around Rs. 1,200 for Samsung's official 25W charger). One-handed usage can be tricky due to the phone's size and weight of 178g. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner is easy to reach and quick to unlock the phone, however. The Galaxy M53 5G's design is sleek, but it feels like a compromise between style and substance. While it looks good, the use of plastic and lack of premium materials detract from the overall experience. It's a shame, as this phone has some great features under the hood, including that impressive Super AMOLED display. In terms of build quality, I'd give the Galaxy M53 5G a solid 6 out of 10. It's not bad, but it's not exceptional either. If you're looking for a premium feel in your next smartphone, this might not be the best choice. It’s worth checking out Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, delivering remarkable design.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G is an area where this device truly shines. The 5000mAh battery easily lasts beyond a full day with moderate to heavy usage, making it a great option for those who need a phone that can keep up with their busy lives. In our HD video loop test, the phone managed to run for an impressive 18 hours and 24 minutes, demonstrating its ability to handle prolonged use without any issues. Fast charging is also supported, but only when using a compatible charger. I used a MacBook Air's USB-C charger, which got the battery from 0-31% in half an hour and up to 58% in an hour. While this may seem like a minor point, it's worth noting that the phone doesn't come with a fast charger out of the box. You'll need to purchase one separately, which could be a significant additional cost. Overall, the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G is a strong selling point, but it would have been even better if the phone came with a more efficient charger in the box. Give Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 a try—it’s designed to provide an unparalleled battery.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy M53 5G boasts an impressive display that justifies its premium feel. The 120Hz Super AMOLED panel is a highlight of this device, offering crisp visuals and excellent viewing angles. The maximum refresh rate of 120Hz ensures seamless scrolling and smooth motion graphics. Upon closer inspection, the display appears vibrant and colors are well-balanced, making it perfect for content consumption. The phone also allows you to choose between different color modes, catering to individual preferences. Overall, the Super AMOLED Plus display is a notable upgrade over its predecessors and provides an engaging experience for users. While the display excels in many areas, one could argue that it's not a game-changer. However, considering the overall price point of Rs 26,499, it's an impressive feature that justifies the cost. The only minor quibble is that some users might find the brightness level to be slightly lower than expected. In terms of display specifications, you get all the basics covered - HDR10+, a screen protector, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. However, there are no exciting features like an always-on display or an IP rating for water resistance, which is a minor letdown. All in all, the Super AMOLED display on the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G is a standout feature that makes it more appealing to users seeking a premium smartphone experience. Get your hands on Samsung Galaxy A34 5G if you're looking for better display.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy M53 5G boasts an impressive quad-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 108-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth camera. This configuration is sure to satisfy photography enthusiasts, but how well does it deliver in real-world scenarios? Firstly, the primary camera excels in daylight conditions, capturing good and fairly detailed shots with minimal noise. The ultra-wide-angle camera is also a winner, producing photos with similar color tones as the primary camera, albeit with less detail. However, the ultra-wide camera struggles with barrel distortion near the edges of the frame. Portrait mode performance is impressive, with crisp images and good edge detection. Macro photography is also decent, allowing for close-up shots with reasonable detail. The 108-megapixel sensor is a significant upgrade over previous models, and it shows in the quality of photos taken in daylight conditions. However, low-light camera performance is where the M53 5G stumbles. Shots lack detail in the darker areas of the frame, and night mode helps only marginally. In some cases, night mode even produces soft images, making it a hit-or-miss feature. The macro camera fares slightly better in low light, but overall, it's clear that Samsung has improved in this area. Another point to note is the selfie camera's performance. Although pixel-binned 8-megapixel photos are taken by default, daylight selfies look great with natural colors and good edge detection in Portrait mode. However, low-light camera performance is merely average compared to the rear cameras. One of the most significant drawbacks of the M53 5G's camera setup is its inability to record high-quality videos. Capable of only up to 4K 30fps video recording with electronic image stabilization (EIS), it can be shaky and unsteady, especially in low-light conditions. In conclusion, while the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G's camera is a significant improvement over previous models, there are still areas for growth. The primary camera excels in daylight conditions, but struggles with low light. Portrait mode performance is good, but ultra-wide-angle shots can be compromised by barrel distortion. Overall, it's an impressive setup that falls just short of true greatness due to its limitations in video recording and low-light photography. Consider discovering the power of Motorola Edge 40 Pro, featuring the latest advancements in camera.
Price and Value
The Samsung Galaxy M53 5G is now the flagship model in the M series, priced starting at Rs. 26,499 in India. This device offers a range of capable hardware features such as a 120Hz Super AMOLED display, a MediaTek Dimensity 900 SoC with vapor cooling, and a 108-megapixel primary camera. However, despite its impressive specs sheet, the Galaxy M53 5G feels like an incremental upgrade over its predecessor, rather than a revolutionary new device. The phone's design is primarily built out of plastic, which while sturdy, doesn't feel particularly premium. One major issue I have with this device is its pricing. Starting at Rs. 26,499, the Galaxy M53 5G is not cheap by any stretch. While it offers good value for those who need a powerful and feature-rich smartphone, others might find it hard to justify the cost. Compared to other devices in the market, the Galaxy M53 5G seems overpriced. For instance, the Xiaomi Mi 11i HyperCharge 5G offers similar specs at a lower price point, and even bundles a faster charger in the box. The Realme GT Master Edition is another device that competes with the Galaxy M53 5G in terms of features and pricing. In my opinion, the 6GB RAM variant of the Galaxy M53 5G offers better value for money compared to the 8GB model. However, even then, I think Samsung could have bundled a 25W charger with the device, given its price tag. Ultimately, the decision to buy the Galaxy M53 5G depends on individual priorities and budget constraints. While it is a capable device, its pricing might be a deal-breaker for some potential buyers.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy M53 5G is a formidable smartphone that packs capable hardware within its plastic exterior. Performance-wise, this device excels in various aspects. Gaming performance on the Galaxy M53 5G was impressive, with Asphalt 9: Legends running smoothly at 60Hz without any noticeable stutter. Even after playing for about 15 minutes, the battery level only dropped by three percent, and the phone remained cool to the touch. In benchmarks, the Galaxy M53 5G scored lower than the Realme GT Master Edition and the Xiaomi Mi 11i HyperCharge 5G, which have slightly better SoCs. However, this doesn't necessarily translate to a poor overall performance experience for users. The Samsung Galaxy M53 5G's MediaTek Dimensity 900 SoC with vapour cooling does its job well in handling demanding tasks and apps. Additionally, the phone's Super AMOLED display offers crisp visuals and good viewing angles. One of the standout features of the Galaxy M53 5G is its RAM Plus feature, which allows users to assign up to 6GB of storage as RAM. This feature can greatly enhance the overall performance experience for users who frequently run multiple apps simultaneously. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G offers respectable performance that should meet most users' needs. While it may not be the best in its class, it's certainly a capable device that won't disappoint in terms of performance. For a superior performance, Samsung Galaxy A25 5G could be the right choice.
Pros
1. The phone features a stunning 120Hz Super AMOLED display that provides crisp and vibrant visuals, making content feel engaging.
2. The MediaTek Dimensity 900 SoC with vapour cooling delivers smooth performance, making it ideal for gaming and multitasking.
3. The quad-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 108-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth camera, takes good photos in daylight and decent ones in low light.
4. The 5,000mAh battery easily lasts beyond a full day with moderate to heavy use, making it perfect for those who are always on the go.
5. While Samsung doesn't bundle a charger, you can charge this phone using any USB Type-C charger and fast charging is supported with a compatible charger.
Cons
1. The phone's primary build material is plastic, which feels sturdy but not particularly premium.
2. Samsung doesn't bundle a charger or case with the phone, which can be frustrating for those who expect more from their purchase.
3. The Galaxy M53 5G misses out on stereo speakers, which can be a disappointment for music lovers.
4. While the phone delivers good gaming performance in real-world use, it lags behind competitors like the Realme GT Master Edition and Xiaomi Mi 11i HyperCharge 5G in benchmark tests.